Sir Edward, who sacked Enoch Powell from the Tory front bench within a day of his infamous "Rivers of Blood" speech, said his party failed to act quickly because it was on the "extreme right".

"So many of them feel and think the same way, there's the culprit," he told BBC News 24's One to One programme.

Mr Hague's move is an attempt to defuse the race row which has hit the Tories just days before the general election is expected to be called.

No truck

"We mean business about being an inclusive party which has no truck with racism," said Mr Hague.

"And we mean business about being a disciplined party determined to win election."

In his statement of apology, Yorkshire East MP Mr Townend said: "I entirely accept that racism has no place in the Conservative Party and am very sorry that ill-chosen words by me may have given a different impression."

Mr Townend stands down at the election

Responding to rumours that Lord Taylor may defect to Labour over the row, Mr Hague said the black peer was being asked to sign an open letter from ethnic minority Tory candidates reaffirming their support for the Conservatives.

Asked what would happen if Lord Taylor refused to sign the open letter, Mr Hague said the "implication was pretty clear" - meaning he would put himself outside the party.

"I cannot allow people in receipt of the Conservative whip in
the House of Lords to agonise publicly about whether they support the party," said Mr Hague.

Ill-advised

When asked about the declaration he was being asked to make Lord Taylor said: "This is the first I have heard about this document, they haven't approached me."

He said the letter was signed by parliamentary candidates - which as a member of the House of Lords does not include him.

"I think this is some sort of ill-advised tactic of William Hague's to isolate me."

And Lord Taylor was not satisfied with Mr Townend's apology.

"Does that mean that over the last two days he has gone dramatically from being an out and out racist and insulting to black and Asian people and all ethnic minorities to somebody who is totally the opposite? I think not.

Lord Taylor is considering his position

"I think this is just another fudge hoping just to bury the matter quietly before the election."

But later, Lord Taylor seemed to move towards conciliation with the Tory leadership, saying he wanted the party to win the general election and was prepared to sign Mr Hague's pledge.

He told BBC News: "I hope I can remain within the Conservative Party. I don't want to join any
other party."

Mr Townend had denied he is racist and said immigration and asylum are important issues on which he must speak out.